NHL Offseason Injury Report: Tippett Cleared for Camp, Salomonsson Targets September Return

The dog days of the NHL offseason are often defined by the grueling, unseen work of injury rehabilitation. As teams prepare for the 2026-27 campaign, several key players are reaching critical medical milestones, turning offseason uncertainty into training camp optimism.[1]

Leading the wave of positive news is Philadelphia Flyers forward Owen Tippett, who has officially been cleared to return for September's training camp. Tippett's 2025-26 season came to an abrupt and frightening halt during the Stanley Cup Playoffs due to an internal bleeding issue.[1]

The injury, sustained during the Flyers' First Round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, forced Tippett out of the lineup for the entirety of the Second Round against the Carolina Hurricanes. Despite his best efforts to skate and travel with the team, medical staff ultimately prioritized his long-term health over a rushed postseason return.[1]

"Things did not progress at a pace that I hoped for or would allow me to safely continue playing," Tippett noted in a team-issued statement. Now, after months of specialized treatments and evaluations, the dynamic winger is back to full strength, providing a massive boost to Philadelphia's top six.[1]

Tippett's return is crucial for a Flyers squad that relied heavily on his offensive production. During a pivotal late-season West Coast swing, Tippett caught fire, even taking shifts at center to cover for the injured Sean Couturier. Having him fully healthy for day one of camp stabilizes head coach John Tortorella's lineup.[2]

Meanwhile, in Winnipeg, the Jets are closely monitoring the progress of 21-year-old defenseman Elias Salomonsson. The Swedish blueliner underwent shoulder surgery on April 30 following a heavy reverse hit by Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson in the final weeks of the regular season.[3]

Salomonsson's procedure carries a five-to-six-month recovery window, placing his target return date squarely at the end of September. While he may miss the opening days of training camp, Jets medical personnel are optimistic that he will be cleared for contact before the regular season begins.[3]

The young defender had a promising rookie campaign, logging a goal and five points across 32 regular-season outings while bringing a physical edge to Winnipeg's bottom pairing. His impending return ensures the Jets will have their defensive depth intact as they navigate the grueling Central Division.[3]

The mental toll of these offseason recoveries is often just as demanding as the physical rehabilitation. New Jersey Devils defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic, who successfully returned from a torn ACL earlier this year, opened up this week about the psychological hurdles of long-term injury.[4]

Kovacevic suffered his injury during the 2025 playoffs and spent eight months grinding through a meticulous rehab program before making his season debut in January 2026. Speaking to reporters in mid-July, he emphasized how isolating the summer months can be for an injured player.[4]

"The improvements aren't as noticeable the farther out you get from surgery," Kovacevic explained, highlighting the plateau effect that many players experience during July and August. He credited the Devils' training staff and the camaraderie of fellow recovering teammates for keeping him anchored.[4]

Kovacevic's successful return serves as a blueprint and a source of inspiration for players currently navigating their own summer rehabs. The veteran defender noted that while the initial diagnosis of an eight-month recovery was daunting, the structured, day-by-step approach ultimately paid off.[4]

Across the league, the expanded 84-game schedule for the 2026-27 season is placing a premium on roster depth and medical management. Teams are increasingly cautious, opting to hold players out of early preseason action to ensure they are fully fortified for the marathon ahead.[5]

This conservative approach was evident during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, where several NHL stars, including Sidney Crosby, were carefully managed through minor ailments to protect their NHL seasons. That same philosophy is now dictating offseason recovery timelines.[6]

For players like Tippett and Salomonsson, the focus now shifts from medical clearance to game conditioning. The transition from controlled physical therapy to full-speed, high-impact NHL hockey requires a delicate ramp-up period throughout August.[1][3]

As September approaches, the sight of these returning stars shedding their light-blue, no-contact jerseys for standard practice gear will be a welcome relief for fanbases and coaching staffs alike. Their resilience underscores the grueling, year-round commitment required to compete at the sport's highest level.[1][4]